Froch in line for Bute clash

Carl Froch is the mandatory challenger to IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute.

Talks ongoing over a May date in Nottingham

Carl Froch has been made mandatory challenger to IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute. The former two-time WBC champion had been linked to a 'home-and-away' clash with Bute and now Froch looks set to fight him after the IBF installed the British star as the number one contender for the belt. Since losing to Andre Ward in the Super Six World Boxing Classic final in December, Froch's promoter Eddie Hearn has been in constructive talks with the Canadian's Interbox team and he hopes that the projected two contests between the pair could begin in Nottingham this May. "I'm delighted that Carl has been installed as the mandatory (challenger) for Lucian Bute's next bout," said Hearn. "Positive discussions have been ongoing with Interbox since the Super Six final and we hope to get this fight made. It is Carl's dream to have his next fight in the UK and that is something very important to both of us. "After recent discussions, I believe we can bring Lucian here in May and we will be happy to give him the rematch in Canada once Carl has taken the IBF title from him."